mrsonny

I am not very familiar with automotive terminology, so please excuse me if I misspeak.

I own a 2001 Audit TT Quattro ( 6-speed manual) with approximately 85K miles on it. Last week, as I was pulling out of my driveway, I noticed that the 1st and 2nd gears stopped working all of a sudden.

To clearly restate: I was driving in reverse, came to a complete stop and was unable to shift into 1st gear thereafter.

The first 2 gears will not catch whatsoever but all of the remaining gears work as expected (reverse included). The gears themselves feel present but do not engage, nor do they require the clutch to be depressed when shifting into their relative positions.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

iflywoe

when the engine is off can you get the shifter in 1st and 2nd?

mrsonny

I believe that this condition persists even when the engine is not running. I'll have to double-check when I get home today.

iflywoe

just a week ago I changed the trans. fluid and the car shifts so much better now.
I am not saying you can fix everything in this car with fluids, but check the fluid level make sure theres enough for the clutch to work, I could be the plate or clutch 1st and 2nd are the hardest gears to get to.

iflywoe

it could be that the wire that connect to the gearbox is disconnected somewhere too or loose.

mrsonny

I checked last night and the gearbox will not shift into 1st or 2nd even with the engine off.

I'll see if I can't find someone to flush the transmission fluid; I have limited auto-mechanical experience and would not feel comfortable doing it myself. I'll also ask them to verify that the gearbox wires are intact.

Mister Bally

Assuming no deliberate abuse just prior to this happening, you have the classic broken shift fork inside the transmission. Most dealers will remove and disassemble your transmission and replace the broken parts. If you are DIY'ing, you can buy a remanufactured transmission from a dealer and swap it. You have to return the defective transmission. Cost is about the same. I normally do my own work but when I've owned a car since new, I'd like to keep the original transmission if possible.

Now, if abuse was involved such as "hole shots", lighting up tires, attempting manuvers on wet or icy pavement and then, with wheels spinning and hitting dry pavement where a tire instantly grabs the pavement and were right in the middle of a shift; you likely ground teeth off of 2nd gear. Also requires transmission disassembly or replacement.

Well worth the repair cost on these awesome cars.

Note, there is no Transmission "fluid" in these manual transmissions. ONly in Automatics. Manual transmissions have "Hypoid/gear" oil. Usually no dipstick to check. Must remove a plug on the side of the transmission to check level and refill. There is a drain plug or cover though to drain.